Wednesday, March 28, 2012
    Provost
Interviews Completed
With the final on-campus interview
completed Monday, the provost search committee is scheduled to meet Friday to
develop a recommendation for President Les Wong.
The campus visits included a public
presentation. Each finalist was asked to address the following topic: “In light
of national trends and/or challenges with regard to higher education, what role
does the provost play in leveraging NMU’s opportunities and in responding to our
unique challenges?” Issues that surfaced repeatedly in the comments included
declining state support, increased emphasis on accountability, shifting student
demographics and the impact of technology. Full Story
 MGHS-Duke LifePoint Impact on NMU
When Marquette General Health System
(MGHS) announced on March 6 it had signed a memorandum of understanding to join
Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a question began to ripple across campus: How does
the change at MGHS impact NMU?
“We’ve just begun meeting with the
MGHS and Duke LifePoint transition teams, so it’s too early at this point to get
into details other than to say that the Duke LifePoint officials have made it
clear from the start that the already existing relationship between MGH and NMU
was a positive factor in their decision to move forward with the MGH deal,” said NMU President Les Wong. Full Story
 Online
Education Grad Programs Make U.S. News Rankings
Northern’s online graduate programs
in education are among the top 50 nationwide, according to the 2012 rankings
compiled by U.S. News and World Report. NMU is 39th on the list and the
second-highest in Michigan.
“We are proud to be recognized for
the work we’re doing in the online environment while maintaining a high standard
for communication with individuals and groups of students,” said Joe
Lubig (Education). “We treat online courses with the same pride as
those we offer on campus.” Full Story
 Jensen Earns Distinguished Faculty
Award
Randall Jensen (Health, Physical Education and
Recreation) is the recipient of the 2012 NMU Distinguished Faculty Award for his
university and professional contributions. He will be honored at commencement on
Saturday, May 5.
An NMU faculty member since 1995,
Jensen teaches classes in biomechanics, applied exercise physiology, research
methods and statistics. He also conducts extensive research on the effect of
strength on exercise performance, often assisted by students, and has many
related publications and presentations to his credit. He is a past recipient of
the NMU Excellence in Professional Development Award (2007). Full Story
 NMU, Bay Enter Network Computing Agreement
NMU has announced a three-year articulation agreement with Bay de Noc Community College of Escanaba. The agreement allows graduates of Bay College’s new two-year associate degree in network administration to transfer to NMU and complete a bachelor of science degree in network computing.
“This agreement benefits the students because it guarantees that the courses taken at Bay College will transfer completely into the bachelor’s degree,” said Randy Appleton (Mathematics and Computer Science), far left, with
Karl Linderoth and Mark Highum of Bay College's computer network systems and security. “It will also benefit Northern by ensuring that incoming students have had courses that will provide a strong background for the degree.” Full Story
University Forum April 19
President Les Wong will hold a university forum at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 19, in room 102 Jamrich Hall. Featured topics of discussion will include updates on the current active academic reviews, the branding study and a road map revision; the governor’s higher education funding proposal and the legislative process to date; the cogeneration plant project, including a tentative timeline for construction; other spring and summer facilities projects, including the possible demolition of Carey Hall; the health initiative; and the provost and athletic director searches.
University forums are open to the public. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Supervisors are asked to work with their staff members to allow all of those interested a chance to attend. A video link will be available Friday, April 20, on the NMU home page. |
 As a criminal justice professor, Gloria Urban is familiar with the term rehabilitation in the context of efforts
to reduce the number of repeat offenders by giving them the tools to make a more
effective transition from prison back into society. But she is especially passionate
about another form of rehabilitation involving mammals of the four-legged
variety.
Urban
helps to care for orphaned or injured animals so they can return to
the wild. She specializes in raccoons, red fox and coyotes, but has
taken in others as needed. She began the hobby in 2000 at the
encouragement of her best friend, who has since left the area. Urban's
base of operation is a 30-acre parcel she calls Echo Woods near
Skandia. Full Story |
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